Chapter 16: Shadows in Forks
It was a rare sunny day in Forks, and Bella was with her friends Angela and Jessica at school. They were sitting on the grass sunbathing. Bella, distracted, couldn't help but look at Edward. Jessica, noticing Bella's insistent search, commented:
—They're not here. The Cullens are always missing when it's sunny. Dr. Cullen takes them camping.
"Ah, that explains why I haven't seen them," Bella replied, trying to hide her disappointment.
The sun was shining brightly, but the conversation soon changed when Angela excitedly commented:
—I finally have a partner for the dance. I'm so excited! Bella and Jessica smiled at her enthusiasm, and Angela added, "Now we just need to find dresses, right, Jessica?"
"Totally," Jessica responded enthusiastically. We should go to Port Angeles after school!
Bella, remembering the conversation she had with Jacob about the Quileute legends, took the opportunity and said:
—I would like to go too. There is a bookstore in Port Angeles that has a book I want.
After class, the three of them headed to Port Angeles. While Jessica and Angela tried on dresses, Bella helped them by giving her opinion, although it was clear that her mind was somewhere else. She decided to separate from them to visit the bookstore, promising to meet them later at the restaurant for dinner.
Bella was walking through the streets of Port Angeles, when she decided to take a shortcut down a less traveled street. That's when a group of drunk men started harassing her. Terrified and not knowing what to do, she was about to panic when suddenly Edward appeared with his car. Without saying a single word, Edward intimidated her group and rescued her from her, then quickly loaded her into the car, taking her away from danger.
Now calmer, they arrived at the restaurant where they had agreed to meet Angela and Jessica. When they arrived, they saw that both girls were leaving, since they thought that Bella would not arrive. After a brief goodbye, Bella and Edward entered the restaurant. Although Edward didn't ask for anything, he stayed by her side, intriguing her with his presence and her obvious concern for her.
During dinner, Bella tried to figure out how he had appeared just in time to save her, but Edward dodged her questions, maintaining her usual mystery. However, he couldn't help but look at her with a mix of concern and admiration, making Bella feel a deeper connection with him.
** Ethan's POV **
Ethan had spent most of the day patrolling the forest with his pack. Tensions were rising between them, as everyone knew something was wrong. When he got home, his father, Billy, asked him to go to Forks to buy some things, and Ethan, with a nod, took the truck.
Upon returning, he saw lights at the police station and, feeling a hunch, decided to stop. There he found Charlie, visibly shaken.
"Hi, Charlie," Ethan said, coming closer. What has happened?
Charlie looked at him with a weak smile, although his eyes reflected pain.
—Waylon Forge was found dead on his dock... it seems he was attacked by an animal.
Ethan felt a knot in his stomach. Waylon had been friends with his father for years, and the news hit him hard.
—The same one who killed the worker in Mason? —He asked, his jaw clenched.
Charlie nodded.
—Dr. Cullen is examining the body right now.
Ethan felt fury take over him. He quickly said goodbye and left the station, not realizing that Bella was watching him from a distance. His face was marked with hatred, something he hadn't shown in a long time.
As he headed to the reservation, Ethan's thoughts turned dark. Waylon's death was not just a personal tragedy; It was a sign that something else was happening, something he couldn't ignore. When he got home, he found Billy and Jacob in the living room. His father immediately noticed the tension in the air.
—What happened? Billy asked, worried.
"Waylon was murdered," Ethan replied, his voice thick with anger. It appears that he was the same "animal" that killed the worker in Mason County.
Billy widened his eyes in surprise and then clenched his fists, clearly enraged. The tension in the air was palpable, and Ethan decided it was time to act. He stood up and informed them that he was coming out.
Leaving the house, Ethan mentally connected with his pack, calling to them with a simple thought. Minutes later, everyone was gathered in the forest. Ethan told them the terrible news, and everyone was filled with fury.
"Those leeches think they can come to Forks and cause trouble…" Ethan said, his voice deep and firm. Starting today, patrols are doubled. Those vampires are close, and if they cross our territory, we will tear them to pieces.
Everyone nodded silently, their faces showing determination. Without saying another word, they transformed into wolves and, raising their heads towards the sky, they let out a powerful howl, marking the beginning of their hunt.